Story: Collecting

Fred Flutey in his pāua-shell house, Bluff

Fred Flutey in his pāua-shell house, Bluff

Fred (pictured) and Myrtle Flutey of Bluff were two of New Zealand's best-known collectors. In the 1960s the couple began accumulating colourful pāua shells, and ended up displaying 1,170 on the walls of their home. The collection became a national institution, and in one year attracted more than 25,000 visitors. After the Fluteys died in the early 2000s their house was purchased by their grandson, Ross Bowen, who – controversially – loaned the collection to the Canterbury Museum. The lounge, entrance and driveway were re-created in the museum and opened to the public in 2008.

Using this item

Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira
Reference: RMS/rFTR155/278
Photograph by Robin Morrison

Permission of the Auckland War Memorial Museum Tamaki Paenga Hira must be obtained before any re-use of this image.

Courtesy of the Estate of Robin Morrison

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How to cite this page:

Richard Wolfe, 'Collecting - Recent collecting and collecting motivations', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/37326/fred-flutey-in-his-paua-shell-house-bluff (accessed 19 March 2024)

Story by Richard Wolfe, published 5 Sep 2013